jlenzmeier
04-18-2008, 03:14 PM
My sister has had MS for about 4 years. She currently takes a half dose of Rebif. She was taking Celexa as well but stopped taking it about 2 months ago. So far the MS has only given her bouts of Optic Neuritis but for about a month and a half she has had numbness on one whole side of her body and now in the past week she has been off balance as well. Our mom passed away almost 8 months ago. My sister is starting IV steroids today to hopefully nip this in the bud before it gets worse. I am wondering if this new developement could be a delayed response to our mom's passing. I also thought that it could be related to her going off the Celexa. Seems like her symptoms starting to come on after she went off the medication. Perhaps it was helping her deal with the stress more than she thought. She is also planning a wedding and just got a new job. Obviously there is a lot going on here. I also realize this could just be a random episode in a very complex disease. Has anyone else had a delayed response like this after a life changing event?
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MSJayhawk
04-18-2008, 03:27 PM
Death, divorce, and any life altering events can overcome a person's emotional threshold. The meds your sister takes are not cures and exceptional stress can bring flare-ups. Your sister should make sure that her doctor is aprised of her stress levels and the changes she has been enduring.
Emotional support can really help her get through much of this pain she is going through. My prayers will include both of you for your loss and suffering.
Emotional support can really help her get through much of this pain she is going through. My prayers will include both of you for your loss and suffering.
jlenzmeier
04-21-2008, 01:33 PM
Here is something interesting. My sister's dog was just diagnosed with Lymes Disease. I told her to ask her doctor about being tested. She rides horse and is outside a lot.
Bearygood
04-21-2008, 01:55 PM
jlenzmeier, good idea. I'd suggest a visit to the Lyme board here to ask about adequate testing. Problem with Lyme is that there are many false negatives AND false positives. It's good that you suggested this to her. Lyme can absolutely mimic MS, down to the lesions and also ON!
Filipinone
04-21-2008, 04:39 PM
jlenzmeier,
How is your sister taking a half dose of Rebif. Is that doctor prescribed. Curious because I was diagnosed with benign MS which translates to infancy MS.
Lisa
dx 6/04
Avonex
How is your sister taking a half dose of Rebif. Is that doctor prescribed. Curious because I was diagnosed with benign MS which translates to infancy MS.
Lisa
dx 6/04
Avonex
TXChica70
04-21-2008, 06:02 PM
Has anyone else had a delayed response like this after a life changing event?
Since I don't meet any of the suspected criteria for developing MS such as hereditary or a coming from a cold climate, I can only guess the stress of having my son then moving overseas 7 weeks after brought on my first symptom. However, the first symptom still didn't show up for 8 months so I have no idea why it took so long if, in fact, these stressors were what brought about the MS to begin with.
Oh, I also wanted to mention that I had my 2nd flare up 7 months after moving back to the states.
Since I don't meet any of the suspected criteria for developing MS such as hereditary or a coming from a cold climate, I can only guess the stress of having my son then moving overseas 7 weeks after brought on my first symptom. However, the first symptom still didn't show up for 8 months so I have no idea why it took so long if, in fact, these stressors were what brought about the MS to begin with.
Oh, I also wanted to mention that I had my 2nd flare up 7 months after moving back to the states.
jlenzmeier
04-21-2008, 10:05 PM
jlenzmeier,
How is your sister taking a half dose of Rebif. Is that doctor prescribed. Curious because I was diagnosed with benign MS which translates to infancy MS.
Lisa
dx 6/04
Avonex
Lisa,
My sister was also diagnosed with benign MS as up until a few weeks ago it was only affecting her vision. Anyway...to answer your question...yes, her doctor told her to only inject half the dose of Rebif. I don't think you can be prescribed a half dose but she only injects half of the medication.
How is your sister taking a half dose of Rebif. Is that doctor prescribed. Curious because I was diagnosed with benign MS which translates to infancy MS.
Lisa
dx 6/04
Avonex
Lisa,
My sister was also diagnosed with benign MS as up until a few weeks ago it was only affecting her vision. Anyway...to answer your question...yes, her doctor told her to only inject half the dose of Rebif. I don't think you can be prescribed a half dose but she only injects half of the medication.
MSNik
04-21-2008, 10:08 PM
Actually, Rebif comes in 44 mcgs (full strength) and 22 mcgs (half dose) syringes...you can get either of them prescribed...talk to your doctor about it.
Nikki
Nikki
jlenzmeier
04-21-2008, 10:47 PM
Thanks for that info. I guess I just assumed that it didn't come in a half dose. I think mayber her doctor just wants her to keep trying to up her dose even if it is only a little at a time. He seems to feel that, for her, it is the best course of treatment even if she can't tolerate the full dose. Thanks again for clarifying that!
Filipinone
04-22-2008, 10:59 AM
Jlenzmeier/MSNick
Thank you both, I have a neuro appointment in June and that would be something that I can bring up...
Lisa
dx 6/04
Avonex
Thank you both, I have a neuro appointment in June and that would be something that I can bring up...
Lisa
dx 6/04
Avonex
Avenue Q
04-22-2008, 05:19 PM
Lisa,Fillipinone, Benign MS, might hold the same misinterpretations..... as does the term MILD MS. I really think some doctors, choose to use some words as they apply to each patients symptoms.
For me Lisa, the word benign, was used after I had the disease for 22 yrs, and I don't think 22 yrs, would be concerned in its (infancy). But the lack of symptoms over the years...benign seemed to be very fitting.
So I felt that the term benign was a perfect description as far as I was concerned. And that was because it had been 22 yrs. since my first and last episode. How did your doctor, explain the term benign to you?
jlenzmeier, Jayhawk, is right. As a matter of fact when my mom, passed away that's what triggered my numbness at the time, and it never returned. I am very sorry for your lost, and I wish your sister well.
I sometimes wonder..NO, I always wonder is it really MS?
For me Lisa, the word benign, was used after I had the disease for 22 yrs, and I don't think 22 yrs, would be concerned in its (infancy). But the lack of symptoms over the years...benign seemed to be very fitting.
So I felt that the term benign was a perfect description as far as I was concerned. And that was because it had been 22 yrs. since my first and last episode. How did your doctor, explain the term benign to you?
jlenzmeier, Jayhawk, is right. As a matter of fact when my mom, passed away that's what triggered my numbness at the time, and it never returned. I am very sorry for your lost, and I wish your sister well.
I sometimes wonder..NO, I always wonder is it really MS?
Nenu
04-22-2008, 05:32 PM
I sometimes wonder..NO, I always wonder is it really MS?
Even with my results, which are pretty clear that I have MS, I have this wonder hourly.
Even with my results, which are pretty clear that I have MS, I have this wonder hourly.
april1848
04-22-2008, 07:40 PM
Me too! I still have a deep down secret hope that it's something else!